Two-point cab suspension system

Abstract

In one embodiment, a suspension system for a vehicle cab, the suspension system comprising: a structural assembly; a cab mounted to the structural assembly; a front axle coupled to the structural assembly; plural suspension units arranged forward of the axle and disposed between the cab and the structural assembly; and plural isolation mounts arranged rearward of the axle and disposed between the cab and the structural assembly.

At least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A suspension system for a vehicle cab, the suspension system comprising:
 a structural assembly;   a cab mounted to the structural assembly;   a front axle coupled to the structural assembly;   plural suspension units arranged forward of the axle and disposed between the cab and the structural assembly; and   plural isolation mounts arranged rearward of the axle and disposed between the cab and the structural assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the plural suspension units each comprises a coil over shock absorber. 
     
     
         3 . The suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the plural suspension units each comprises an air spring over shock absorber. 
     
     
         4 . The suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the plural suspension units each comprises two separate components, wherein one of the components comprises either a coil or air spring and the other of the components comprises a shock absorber. 
     
     
         5 . The suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plural isolation mounts is comprised of rubber. 
     
     
         6 . The suspension system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transverse member coupled between the structural assembly and the cab. 
     
     
         7 . The suspension system of  claim 1 , wherein the structural assembly comprises a vehicle frame and a sub-frame mounted to the vehicle frame. 
     
     
         8 . The suspension system of  claim 7 , wherein the plural suspension units and the plural isolation mounts are attached to the sub-frame. 
     
     
         9 . A vehicle, comprising:
 an engine;   a structural assembly;   a cab mounted to the structural assembly;   a front axle coupled to the structural assembly;   plural suspension units arranged forward of the axle and disposed between the cab and the structural assembly; and   plural isolation mounts arranged rearward of the axle and disposed between the cab and the structural assembly.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the plural suspension units each comprises a coil over shock absorber. 
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the plural suspension units each comprises an air spring over shock absorber. 
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the plural suspension units each comprises two separate components, wherein one of the components comprises either a coil or air spring and the other of the components comprises a shock absorber. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein each of the plural isolation mounts is comprised of rubber. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , further comprising a transverse member coupled between the structural assembly and the cab. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the structural assembly comprises a vehicle frame and a sub-frame mounted to the vehicle frame. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 15 , wherein the plural suspension units and the plural isolation mounts are attached to the sub-frame. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the vehicle comprises a windrower, further comprising a dual path steering system coupled to the structural assembly. 
     
     
         18 . A cab suspension method for a vehicle, the method comprising:
 navigating the vehicle along a surface, the vehicle comprising a cab mounted on a structural assembly and an axle coupled to the structural assembly; and   dampening forces transmitted to the cab by dampening at a location rearward of the axle, between the structural assembly and the cab, high frequency vibrations generated by the windrower, and dampening at a location forward of the axle, between the structural assembly and the cab, primarily low frequency vibrations transmitted from the axle by virtue of the vehicle navigating the surface.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dampening of the high frequency vibrations is achieved using plural isolation mounts that are coupled to the structural assembly rearward of the axle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the dampening of the low frequency vibrations is achieved using plural suspension units that are coupled to the structural assembly forward of the axle.